QATAR KALA, Afghanistan (AP) — The villagers said they just wanted to be left alone. They claimed they had asked the Taliban to stay away, and wished the Americans would do the same.



But now the Americans were back, determined to stop the Taliban from passing through the village to attack U.S. targets. And shortly afterward the gunfire from the hills above served notice that the Taliban had no intention of leaving.



What unfolded Tuesday would highlight the tug of war being waged for the loyalties of one village in eastern Afghanistan.



The story had begun with a clinic, built here with U.S. funds to demonstrate to Afghans that they have more to gain from the Americans than from the Taliban.



Last spring the Taliban blew it up. But the Americans kept coming back. Their previous visit was three months ago, and now it was time to put in another appearance.